Red Bay receives grant for road repairs

RED BAY – Residents of Red Bay will soon have a much smoother drive through town thanks to a grant that will help repair the four railroad crossings located in the city.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Bobby Forsythe said he had received a letter from the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation that stated the board of directors had agreed to commit $250,000 to fund the repair of the crossings.

“This was something that has needed attention for a long time now,” Forsythe said. “We had the opportunity to apply for this money and we’re glad we received it because it will improve safety in and around those areas where the railroad crossings are present.”

Forsythe said the poor condition of the crossings had the potential to cause damage to cars, which was a big concern since the crossing near Sunshine Mills in particular is such a high traffic area.

“Not long ago I had a counter put on that crossing just to see how many cars actually traveled over it,” Forsythe said. “In a two-day period, there were near 17,000 vehicles that crossed those tracks so you can see how necessary the repairs are with that much traffic coming through there.”

Forsythe said the repairs would not only benefit the citizens of Red Bay but the repairs would benefit Red Bay’s businesses as well, especially Cashion Thermoplastics, Decorator Industries, Gates Corporation, Sunshine Homes, Sunshine Mills, Tiffin Motorhomes and Triple H Electronics.

“These businesses have supply trucks that come in and out on a daily basis and they really don’t need to be traveling over railroad crossings that are in disrepair.”

Forsythe said the city of Red Bay would be responsible for preliminary costs, the cost of utilities and any overrun from the project not covered under the $250,000.

He said the North Alabama Council of Local Governments is working on a time frame to get the project underway but no exact start time has been determined as of yet.

In other business, the council addressed the following issues:

Approved Ordinance #11-10-03 setting the salary for the mayor and council for 2012 – 2016.

Approved a $5,000 grant from TVA for the construction of a sign at the West Franklin Regional Industrial Park.

Approved a 2011 CDBG grant awarded for the purpose of replacing utility lines in the Elliott Village area.

Reappointed Kelly Moore to the Red Bay Water and Gas Board.

Passed Resolution 11-11-07 at the request of the Red Bay Water and Gas Board allowing them to petition the probate judge to change the name Water Works and Gas Board of the Town of Red Bay to Water Works and Gas Board of the City of Red Bay.

Appointed Mike Shewbart as the interim park and recreation director.